Intro to British Columbia hotels and accommodations

Home to the awe-inspiring peaks of the Canadian Rockies, the award-winning wineries of the poetically beautiful Okanagan Valley, and the seaside pleasures of Victoria Island, British Columbia’s mild climate makes it one of the few places in the world where you can sail in the morning and spend your afternoons skiing on its famed slopes. Vancouver is a world-class city that offers all the features of an urban playground while Haida Gwaii is steeped in the history of the ancient culture of the Haida First Nation, famous for their artistic and spiritual totems. Wherever you travel in British Columbia, you’ll encounter the distinctive laid-back warmth of West-Coast Canadians.

Hotels in British Columbia

A top tourist destination in Canada, hotels in British Columbia cater to both the modest traveller and the extravagant one. Discount hotels in Vancouver include the modest but comfortable Empire Landmark Hotel or you can opt for Hotel Zed in Victoria. The Fairmount Chateau Whistler in Whistler boasts an outdoor pool, valet parking, and a free ski shuttle. It is the perfect chalet for cozy nights and fast days on the slopes. British Columbia hotel deals are offered frequently for advance bookings and Vancouver always has a myriad of choices to suit your taste and budget.

Things to see in British Columbia

The slopes of Whistler are simply legendary. Whistler Blackcomb is North America’s premiere resort; it provides endless skiing and snowboarding terrain, while hiking, mountain biking, and golfing are the top summer activities. You might even catch a movie star or two as Vancouver, “Hollywood North,” is bursting at the seams with the film and television productions. For a remote wilderness experience, visit Great Bear Rainforest, the world’s largest coastal temperate rainforest. Lush forests, intricate inland fjords, and high granite cliffs compete for your attention as bears and eagles feast on salmon while whale watching is always on the itinerary. If taking a road trip is more your style, drive the Alaska Highway, soak in the hot springs at Liard River, and gaze at herds of majestic bison.

Where to stay in British Columbia

The largest city in B.C., Vancouver is a great place for families to explore the outdoor pleasures of Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium, and the Museum of Anthropology or, for the adults, enjoy a Vegas Strip styled night on Granville Street, in Yaletown, or Gastown. Next, head to Vancouver Island, where the capital of British Columbia, Victoria, awaits you with a historic visit to Craigdarroch Castle or Government House and plenty of shopping and strolling at the Inner Harbour. In Nanaimo, you can dive sunken wrecks, hit Canada’s only floating pub, “The Dinghy Dock Pub”, or snorkel with harbor seals. If you are interested in wine tours, the city of Kelowna is a must-see, located in the fertile valley of the Okanagan, this region is considered "Canada's Napa Valley".

How to get to British Columbia

If you’re planning to fly to British Columbia, Vancouver Airport and Victoria Airport service international and domestic flights, but be prepared for hefty ticket prices. Driving to the province is the most cost-effective option and a better one if you’re planning to tour the province extensively: you’ll be covering vast rugged terrain. If you’re driving from within Canada, the Trans-Canada Highway will take you directly to Vancouver or you can catch a Greyhound bus. Driving from the United States provides you with multiple entry points into B.C., but the I-5 is the most direct.